When word leaked out that his team was pursuing a big-name player to fill his spot, Kyle Flanagan used to take it poorly.
It also probably wouldn’t have sat well with him that his father made the decision. Nevertheless, Flanagan is excited about the possibility of not needing to be the star player after joining St George Illawarra, as opposed to being alarmed by the possibility of more competition for a first-grade spot.
For the first time since 2018, Flanagan will play at the NRL level again with his father Shane, who is also his coach, after joining the Red V. Ben Hunt must stay with the team, according to Flanagan senior, who has also expressed interest in acquiring Tom Dearden, the Cowboys’ playmaker.
“I remember thinking, ‘What’s going on, I don’t want this,’ when I was probably 19 or 20 years old and starting first grade,” Flanagan remarked.
However, I want these players to come to our club and compete for slots at this point in my career. You aspire to play for elite football teams. Anything like that is fine with me.
The 25-year-old will return to his father at Cronulla, where he made his debut under him following turbulent periods at the Roosters and Bulldogs. He is no longer under pressure to be the team’s star player.
“Yes, it feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders,” he stated. “I’m just trying to do my part at the club; it’s not about me here at the Dragons. And I blend in wherever I am at home.
“I’m just going to play my role, but it feels so refreshing coming to the Dragons, and it’s hard to explain.” In terms of my career, I’m currently at a point where I don’t really care where I go or how many games I play—I just want to be happy. Return home, enjoy myself and my family, and be content. Perhaps I’m growing a little older in life.
